Litany to Old Testament Saints
June 11, 1995
Brother John Raymond
Although we do not often think of praying to Old Testament
Saints, there are certainly plenty of them to choose from. The
Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us, "The patriarchs, prophets
and certain other Old Testament figures have been and always will be
honored as saints in all the Church's liturgical traditions (#61,
cf. #58 & #64). I know a community of Sisters that promote devotion
to them. They have a book of saints for each day of the year that
includes the Old Testament saints for particular days. Now, of
course, we really do not have an official date to celebrate for any
one of them so its a mystery to me where the Sisters got these dates
- perhaps they asked the saints themselves! Here is their list [all
dates are B.C.]: Aaron (1400s, first priest, Ex. 4:14ff), Abraham
(2000s, Patriarch, Gn. 12,1ff), Three Youths in the Fiery Furnace
(Ananias, Azarias, Misael, 600s, Dn. 1,1ff), Daniel (400s, Prophet,
Dn.), King David (900s, 1-2S.), Ezechiel (500s, Prophet, Ezk.),
Isaias (600s, Prophet, Is.), a mother and her seven sons (100s,
Martyrs, 2Mc. 7,1ff), Malachias (400s, Prophet, Mal.), Moses (1400s,
Ex. 2,1ff) and Samuel (1000s, Prophet, 1-2S.).
There are other Saints mentioned in the Old Testament such as
Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael (Dn. 10:13,21 & 12:1;Tb.
12:15 & Dn. 8:16-26, 9:21-27; Tb. 5,1ff), Abel (Martyr, Gn. 4:2ff),
Melchizedek (Priest, Gn. 14:18-20), Noah (Gn. 6,9ff), Isaac
(Patriarch, Gn. 17,15ff), Jacob (Patriarch, Gn. 25,19ff), Joseph
(Patriarch, Gn. 37,1ff), Joshua (Successor of Moses, Jos.), Job
(Jb.), Jeremiah (Prophet, Je.), Tobit (Tb.), Elijah (Prophet, 1K.
17-19, 21 & 2K. 1,1ff), Elisha (Prophet, 2K. 2,1ff), Eleazar
(Martyr, 2Mc 6:18-31), Jonah (Prophet, Jon.), Rebecca (Isaac's wife,
Gn. 24-27), Miriam (Mose's sister, Ex. 2,15 & Nm. 12), Deborah
(leader, judge and prophetess, Jgs. 4-5), Ruth (Gentile convert,
Rt.), Hannah (Samuel's mother, 1S. 1-2), Rachel (Jacob's wife, Gn.
29,1ff), Judith (Heroine, Jdt.) and Esther (Queen, Est.) from the
Old Testament. Of course I am sure one could find many more.
Some of these people from the Old Testament are truly great
Saints. Our Lord, during His transfiguration, was seen to be talking
to Moses and Elijah (Mt. 17:1-8; Mk. 2,8; Lk. 9:28-36). Think of the
faith of Abraham and Noah who lived so long ago. Elijah is another
interesting person who did not die but was swept up in a fiery
chariot. Certainly King David is an interesting person, both for his
zeal for God and deep repentance for sin. What about the mother and
her seven sons heroically suffering and then martyred for their
Faith in the book of Machabees? Eleazar, martyred at ninety, is a
great example of perseverance to the end. The account of the
Patriarch, Joseph, is an inspiring one of forgiveness and fidelity
to God. It is amazing to read of these heroic people who lived
before the New Testament times. They experienced the cross in their
lives without knowing the full meaning of it. Yet, they suffered and
persevered in their faith.
Litany to Old Testament Saints
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us. (repeat after each)
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit,
Holy Trinity, One God,
God of Abraham,
God of Bethel, (El Bethel)
Mighty One of Jacob,
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
God Almighty, (El Shaddai)
God the Most High, (El-Elyon)
Yahweh,
Archangel Michael,
Pray for us. (repeat after each)
Archangel Gabriel,
Archangel Raphael,
All you holy angels and archangels,
Noah,
All you holy people before the flood,
Abraham,
Isaac,
Jacob,
Joseph,
All you holy patriarchs,
Aaron,
All you holy priests,
Moses,
Joshua,
All you holy leaders,
David,
All you holy kings,
Job,
Tobit,
All you holy men,
Sarah,
Rebecca,
Rachel,
Miriam,
Deborah,
Ruth,
Hannah,
Judith,
Esther,
All you holy women,
Samuel,
Jeremiah,
Esekiel,
Daniel,
Malachias,
Elijah,
Elisha,
Isaias,
All you holy prophets,
Abel,
Eleazar,
Ananias,
Azarias,
Misael,
All you holy martyrs and heroic witnesses,
All you holy men and women, Old Testament saints of God,
Make intercession for us.
Be merciful,
Spare us, O Lord.
Be merciful,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
From all evil,
O Lord, deliver us. (repeat after each)
From all sin,
From breaking Your Commandments,
From falling away from the Faith,
From doubting Your Word,
From denying Your Name,
From fear of proclaiming Your Name,
From lack of sincere repentance,
From losing hope,
From fear of fraternal correction,
From doubt of Your Power,
From all false desires,
From lack of zeal in Your service,
We sinners,
We implore You, hear us. (repeat after each)
That we continue to walk by faith,
That we witness to You regardless of human respect,
That we grow in love for Your Holy Word,
That we appreciate the blessing of having children,
That we overcome evil by the power of good,
That we who have more respond more,
That the Jewish nation will recognize You,
That all non-Christians will come to the Light,
That You would give eternal rest to the faithful departed,
That You would grant my special intention,
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takes away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us. Amen.